The iPhone 7 Plus A Landmark in Smartphone Evolution
In September 2016, Apple introduced the iPhone 7 Plus, a significant upgrade over its predecessors, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of smartphones. As part of the seventh-generation lineup, the iPhone 7 Plus distinguished itself not only through its hardware advancements but also through its departure from long-standing design conventions. This article delves into the key features, design choices, and the overall impact of the iPhone 7 Plus on the smartphone market.
Design and Build Quality
The iPhone 7 Plus continued Apple's tradition of premium build quality, featuring a sleek aluminum unibody design. However, it introduced a significant change with the omission of the 3.5mm headphone jack, a decision that sparked controversy and marked the beginning of the end for wired headphones in mobile devices. Apple argued that this change allowed for better internal engineering, including a larger battery and enhanced waterproofing.
The device was rated IP67, making it resistant to dust and water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. This was a first for iPhones, offering users more durability and peace of mind. The physical home button was replaced with a solid-state version that utilized the Taptic Engine for haptic feedback, simulating the feel of a button press without actually moving. This not only improved the device's water resistance but also reduced mechanical wear and tear.
Display and Performance
The iPhone 7 Plus featured a 5.5-inch Retina HD display with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. The display was notable for its wide color gamut, offering a more vivid and true-to-life color representation. This was a significant improvement, particularly for photographers and videographers who required accurate color representation.
Under the hood, the iPhone 7 Plus was powered by the A10 Fusion chip, a 64-bit quad-core processor that was significantly faster than the previous generation. This chip featured two high-performance cores and two energy-efficient cores, allowing for better performance and battery life management. The device came with 3GB of RAM, which, combined with the A10 Fusion chip, made multitasking smoother and more efficient. Storage options ranged from 32GB to 256GB, catering to various user needs.
Dual-Camera System
One of the standout features of the iPhone 7 Plus was its dual-camera system, a first for Apple. The rear camera setup included a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens, enabling 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom. This setup introduced the "Portrait Mode," which used both lenses and advanced algorithms to create a depth-of-field effect, blurring the background while keeping the subject in sharp focus. This feature was a game-changer for mobile photography, offering DSLR-like quality in a smartphone.
The front camera was also upgraded to a 7-megapixel sensor, supporting 1080p video recording and offering improved selfies and video calls. The camera system as a whole was enhanced by features like optical image stabilization, a wider aperture, and a quad-LED True Tone flash, all of which contributed to better low-light performance.
Audio and Battery Life
The removal of the headphone jack led Apple to introduce the Lightning to 3.5mm adapter and the new AirPods, wireless earbuds that became a cultural phenomenon. The iPhone 7 Plus also featured stereo speakers for the first time, offering a more immersive audio experience. These speakers provided a significant improvement in sound quality and volume, enhancing the multimedia experience on the device.
Battery life saw a notable improvement as well. The iPhone 7 Plus offered up to 21 hours of talk time, 13 hours of internet use, and up to 60 hours of audio playback. This was achieved through a combination of a more efficient A10 Fusion chip, a larger battery, and software optimizations. The device also supported fast charging, allowing for up to 50% charge in just 30 minutes, although this feature required a separately sold adapter.
Software and User Experience
At launch, the iPhone 7 Plus came with iOS 10, which introduced several new features, including an updated Messages app with stickers and effects, a redesigned Music app, and improvements to Siri. The device was later updated to support subsequent iOS versions, ensuring it remained functional and secure for several years.
The iPhone 7 Plus also featured a new color option: Jet Black, in addition to the standard Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, and a new Matte Black. The Jet Black variant was particularly popular, although it was more prone to scratches, leading Apple to recommend using a case. The device's design and color options contributed to its premium feel, making it a desirable choice for consumers.
Impact and Legacy
The iPhone 7 Plus was a significant release in Apple's history, setting the stage for future innovations. The removal of the headphone jack, while initially controversial, paved the way for the widespread adoption of wireless audio solutions. The dual-camera system established a new standard for smartphone photography, influencing competitors and setting expectations for future devices.
Moreover, the iPhone 7 Plus demonstrated Apple's commitment to pushing technological boundaries, even at the cost of breaking with tradition. This approach has continued to characterize Apple's product philosophy, as seen in later models like the iPhone X and beyond.
